Eight Ways Interior Designers Use Colour

Color choices can be very overwhelming and often bring on project paralysis without a pro. Understanding your preferences for use of colour in a space is a really great way to take away some of the fear of using color. Knowing what you prefer also helps you communicate best when working with an interior designer. Here are 8 ways that interior designers use color. Don’t get distracted by style. While you may not love a style in an image, there is always so much knowledge beyond style just by deconstructing elements in a space. Look at these images and notes with your eye on color!

1. All in with color

Not for the faint of heart, as seen with Lilly Pulitzer , the designer was very intentional with every choice in these vignettes.  Alot of saturated color in one place could easily have gone very wrong. Whether this is your style or not, take careful notice of the injections of white which give a crisp contrast and relief to the eye. I love that the bold green chair is paired with black and white photography.

2. Bold choice on one main surface

Many would have gone neutral on this backsplash, but by being very bold on this one fairly large surface, Australian design firm Wrightson Stewart , creates a huge impact and the backsplash becomes the art for this kitchen. This kind of move can go very wrong without a well trained eye, but when done well doesnt need to add to the budget! [ Also note how the top line of the roman blinds and the kitchen cabinets all line up creating a very harmonious feel. ]

3. Go with color where the expected choice would be white

Designer Meredith Heron chose to have the lower cabinets sprayed in a really rich charcoal, making this kitchen luxe, dimensional, grounded and memorable. Using color very strategically like this in kitchens is a great way to add interest and making this color choice over the expected white or off white doesn’t add to the bottom line!

4. High impact in the area rug

Designer Beth Dotolo of Pulp Design Studios goes neutral almost everywhere else including the big investment furniture pieces and the greatest amount of space, the wall. This gives the eye lots of chance to rest, creates high contrast and a more modern look. A key aspect to this successful design is the few decorative pillows inspired by the gorgeous area rug.

In this space designed by Michelle Jennings Wiebe of Studio M in Florida, Michelle takes the colour queues from the area rug [ and the outdoors ] and continues them in the upholstery textile choices as well as the wall for a cozy feel.

5. Add one pop of color not seen anywhere else in the space for interest

This is one of my own projects for Lisa Ferguson Interior Design. I very intentionally chose the bright warm yellow mums to add extra texture, tension and impact to the space. A softer yellow as seen in the art would have been a bore. Also to note, the colour choices all have great texture in them: lavender linen chairs, marine velvet banquette, original art and the silk drapes with chartreuse 3″ band on the inside lead edge.

6. Draw inspiration from one fabric

In the New York showroom of supreme textile supplier, Kravet, the stripe fabric leads way to the art panels and urns. I love that while the urns colours “match” the stripe fabric, the acid coloured textile art panels create impact by not using all of the colours from the stripe, uses a tertiary hue of yellow and takes your eye in different directions than the vertical stripe.

7. Bring impact with color through unexpected accessories

Picture this vignette in the New York Showroom of  The New Traditionalists with a black traditional typewriter. Snore. I love the careful deliberate choice to use orange for this vintage typewriter. It not only creates interest through the color contrast with the desk, but adds an element of whimsy.

8. Be safe [neutral] on the big investment pieces and go bold with paint color on the walls

Wrightson Stewart demonstrates how a bold paint color choice on the walls brings contrast and interest to the neutral sofa. It is a great way to go. Paint is inexpensive in relation to great quality furnishings and you are likely to repaint before you would reupholster.

Let us know your thoughts and preferences on colour in the comment section. We want to hear what you think!

Lisa Ferguson Interior Design, author of this feature, is a full service Interior Design firm in Toronto, Ontario. Lisa would love to talk to you about designing a space expressly for you.

You can also find a full list of all our global mentors [ who are top professional interior designers ] on our Mentors Page.